Clear Lens Extraction Offers Clearer Vision

Vision impairment is more common than most people realize, and it affects millions of people in the United States alone. When a patient’s vision prescription is still fluctuating, they must rely on prescription lenses for clear, crisp vision. By the time the degree of vision loss stabilizes, most people are tired of using glasses or contact lenses. LASIK surgery has allowed countless patients to treat refractive errors and get rid of prescription lenses.

Unfortunately, for all the benefits that LASIK has to offer, it’s simply not the right procedure for all patients. Clear lens extraction can improve a patient’s vision and reduce, or completely eliminate, the need for glasses or contact lenses. This technique may be the ideal solution when a patient is not a suitable candidate for other forms of laser vision surgery.

What Is Clear Lens Extraction?

During a clear lens extraction procedure, our doctor removes the natural, focusing lens of the eye and replaces it with an IOL, or intraocular lens. The IOL is specifically tailored to the optical needs of each patient, so it essentially acts like a permanent contact lens. Rather than sitting over the natural lens, it replaces the natural lens and becomes a part of the patient’s eye.

Also known as refractive lens exchange, clear lens extraction is very similar to a cataract surgery procedure. The main difference is that, during cataract surgery, the lens being removed has been clouded over. In the case of clear lens extraction, the natural lens is still clear. It is simply being replaced so that we can provide patients with the focusing power necessary to obtain clear, crisp vision.

Clear Lens Extraction Candidates

Clear lens extraction offers suitable patients a number of benefits. But, like other forms of laser vision correction, clear lens extraction is not right for all patients. Our doctors are thorough when determining if patients are good candidates for clear lens extraction. It is important that this procedure is the best treatment option for each patient, and one that will provide patients with the vision improvement they desire. The only way to determine if clear lens extraction is the right technique for a patient is to schedule a personal exam and consultation. However, the following guidelines can help an individual decide if this procedure may be appropriate for their unique situation:

• Clear lens extraction is generally ideal for patients over the age of 40
• Most clear lens extraction candidates are those who have been told they are poor candidates for LASIK or other laser vision correction procedures
• Clear lens extraction can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia

Contact Us

LASIK may be the most popular form of laser vision correction, but it is not the only option available to patients. If you’ve been told that you are a poor LASIK candidate and are interested in learning how else you can improve vision and reduce your reliance on glasses or contact lenses, contact us at your earliest convenience. The experienced eye doctors at Gordon Wong Eye Designs & Optometry look forward to putting together a treatment plan that will meet your unique refractive needs.